Summer staple.

   Well, there are many dishes that can be summer staples, and I'm sure each of us have our own. I actually have a different staple each weekend and love all of them. But somehow during Memorial Day weekend I always think about grilled meat and cornbread. Grilling seems like an obvious choice, but I have absolutely no scientific explanation for the cornbread ... it's just what I associate with this Holiday. It's not only super tasty, but also super quick and easy, so it won't keep you in the kitchen when you want to enjoy time with your friends and family. To make it extra flavorful and summery I added mint and lemon thyme. Here is the recipe:

*  1/2 cup butter
*  1/3 cup white sugar
*  2 eggs
*  1 cup buttermilk
*  1/2 tsp baking soda
*  1/2 tsp baking powder
*  1 cup cornmeal
*  1 cup all-purpose flour
*  1/2 tsp salt
*  2 tbsp chopped lemon thyme
*  2 tbsp chopped mint

1. Melt butter in skillet, remove it from heat and stir in sugar. Quickly add eggs and beat until well blended.
2. Combine buttermilk with baking soda and baking powder, and stir into mixture in pan. Stir in cornmeal, flour, salt, and herbs until well blended, pour batter into the prepared pan (I used 8 inch square pan) and bake at 375F for 30 minutes.

   I wish you could smell my kitchen when I was taking it out of the oven. Mint and lemon thyme is such a great and fragrant combination, it just makes you want to hug the cornbread and never let it go! Add some home made strawberry preserves and you are in heaven!

Enjoy.
Magda.